Sometimes the foods we eat, like popcorn hulls, meat fibers, seeds and fruit peels can get stuck between our teeth or in the gum line. Bad habits like chewing on fingernails, and pencils can break off small pieces that get stuck.
If you do get something does get stuck between your teeth or in your gums, you need to stay calm. You should never use toothpicks or sharp tools to try to pry the object loose. The last thing you want to do is injure your gums or damage tooth enamel with the wrong tool.
In many cases, waxed dental floss is the tool of choice for removing something that is stuck between your teeth or in the gum line. Its waxy coating allows the strand to slide between teeth easily and can often be worked around the foreign object. Try to avoid snapping the floss into place, and injuring your gums.
A floss threader with wax coated floss can also be handy for working at the object from a different position. Sometimes a dental fountain or oral water jet can loosen debris.
If you still can’t easily remove the object you should call our team at Ferguson and Associates for advice or to schedule an appointment for fast resolution. We can be reached at 704-786-8317.